benfica vs real madrid: Mourinho criticised after Vinicius racism claims halt match
The Champions League knockout tie between Benfica and Real Madrid was stopped for around 10–11 minutes after Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior told the referee he had been the target of alleged racist abuse by a Benfica player. The incident has sparked an investigation by European competition authorities and widespread criticism of Benfica manager Jose Mourinho's immediate public reaction.
What happened during benfica vs real madrid
Shortly after Vinicius scored to give Real Madrid the lead, he celebrated in front of the home supporters. Benfica players confronted him, and the situation escalated when Vinicius informed French referee François Letexier that he had heard a racist remark from a Benfica player. The referee activated the anti-racism protocol and halted the match; play was suspended for approximately 10–11 minutes while officials addressed the complaint.
Cameras captured the moment a Benfica player pulled his shirt over his mouth while confronting Vinicius; the player has denied using racist language and said the exchange was misinterpreted. After talks on the touchline involving match officials and representatives from both clubs, the game resumed and Real Madrid completed a 1-0 victory.
Reaction and immediate fallout
The incident provoked a swift and polarising response. Vinicius posted a message calling racists "cowards" and noting that such abuse is not new to him. The Brazilian Football Confederation issued a brief statement of support for the forward, condemning racism and praising his decision to trigger the protocol.
Benfica initially issued a very short statement late at night, then followed with a longer release asserting the club's commitment to equality and defending their player, describing what they called a "defamation campaign". Those words, and Mourinho's subsequent comments, drew heavy criticism.
Mourinho questioned whether Vinicius' celebration had provoked reactions in the stadium and referenced the club's historic icon as evidence against accusations of racism. His remarks included suggestions that celebrations can be provocative and that he wanted to remain independent in his commentary on the exchange. Many observers criticised this line of response as dismissive of the allegation and accused the manager of minimising the seriousness of alleged racist abuse.
Former referees and pundits have also weighed in. One former official who commented on the handling of the incident has faced backlash for suggesting the situation made life difficult for the referee. Anti-discrimination campaigners criticised Benfica's initial messaging as inadequate, and high-profile former players expressed disappointment at the club's denial and the tone of Mourinho's comments.
Next steps: investigation, potential sanctions and the wider context
European competition authorities have opened a formal inquiry and appointed an ethics and disciplinary inspector to investigate allegations of discriminatory behaviour. Regulations in continental competition mandate that any player found guilty of racist conduct faces a minimum suspension, often cited as at least 10 matches.
The inquiry is expected to take weeks rather than days, which means the player accused of the slur could, in principle, remain available for selection for the second leg of the tie on February 25, unless further interim measures are taken. Campaigning groups and national bodies have reiterated calls for a thorough, transparent investigation and for football authorities to take robust action where racism is proven.
The episode has revived debates about how clubs, managers and governing bodies respond to allegations of discrimination inside stadiums — and whether current protocols provide enough protection for players who speak out. For now, attention will turn to the disciplinary process, the evidence that can be gathered, and whether either club or the governing body will face sanctions or be required to take remedial steps.
